City Parks Foundationhttp://www.cityparksfoundation.org
City Parks Foundation provides free and accessible arts, sports, education and community-building programs within NYC parks.Thu, 08 Dec 2016 21:53:09 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1Why Volunteering in Winter is So Importanthttp://www.cityparksfoundation.org/volunteering-winter-important/
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/volunteering-winter-important/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 21:21:01 +0000http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/?p=38482Did you know that Partnerships for Parks hosts It’s My Park projects throughout the year—even the winter months? Though it may be chilly, there are still opportunities for volunteering. ...

]]>Did you know that Partnerships for Parks hosts It’s My Park projects throughout the year—even the winter months? Though it may be chilly, there are still opportunities for volunteering. Our It’s My Park program has evolved from being just a few volunteer days in the fall and spring to become a year-round event. Continuing this volunteerism throughout the year is important, especially during the winter months when volunteering outdoors receives less attention.

2. LEAF RAKING – Leaf raking occurs at the beginning and end of the winter season when snow isn’t an issue. This is crucial to maintaining park lawns and making sure the paths are safe and accessible for park users.

3. PAINTING – For volunteers who would rather stay inside during the winter months, there is also the opportunity to do activities such as painting in recreation centers. Painting keeps the recreation centers modern, fresh, and accessible.

4. GENERAL PARK CLEAN-UP – This is an essential activity that can be done during this time, with trash removal as the focus. When volunteers spend even a short amount of time removing trash from a highly used park, the difference is obvious. Trash removal is beneficial for the park users and wildlife that inhabit the parks.

Volunteering, especially in the cold and lack of daylight, helps people to connect with each other as well as nature. The Corporation for National & Community Service found that volunteering improves physical health of volunteers as well as having many social benefits.[1] It is important for people to volunteer in their parks, to build a community of people who are dedicated to their parks and their community.

]]>http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/volunteering-winter-important/feed/0Dia De Los Muertos In the South Bronxhttp://www.cityparksfoundation.org/dia-de-los-muertos-south-bronx/
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/dia-de-los-muertos-south-bronx/#respondMon, 07 Nov 2016 18:30:17 +0000http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/?p=38396On Saturday, October 29, 2016, Partnerships for Parks and Coalicion Mexicana partnered together to host the first ever ‘Dia de los Muertos’ Cultural Celebration event in the South Bronx. It was a day of celebration of the lives of those that are no longer with us...

]]>On Saturday, October 29, 2016, Partnerships for Parks and Coalicion Mexicana partnered together to host the first ever ‘Dia de los Muertos’ cultural celebration event in the South Bronx. It was a day of celebration of the lives of those that are no longer with us. The event featured face painting, Zumba dancing workshop, traditional folkloric dances, and live performances including local musician groups and traditional mariachi bands. None of this would’ve been possible without the leadership of Jairo Guzman, President of the Mexican Coalition, Deputy Chief Pedrosa from Bronx Recreation and Arts, Culture and Fun Liaison, Laura Alvarez.

We also had the wonderful opportunity to host the Speaker of the City Council, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Member Fernando Cabrera, Bronx Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, and the Consul General of Mexico, Diego Gomez Pickering. It is through community events like these that help communities thrive and bring life into parks.

It all starts with a dedicated cohort of local residents that want the change in their park. Jairo Guzman, of Coalicion Mexicana, mentioned “I think part of the reason why the Mexican and the Latino community in general, often feel they are not being welcomed is they aren’t exactly sure what is available to them and there really isn’t a great deal of activities that make them feel welcome. So investing in parks is extremely important. Already folks are coming around asking if they are ways we can help them.”

Through community events like these, we can make sure that the community’s voices are being heard. This event was so successful, that the group is looking to expand and apply for our Capacity Fund Grant next round so they can fund more events. If you’re interested in hosting your very own successful community event, the first step is reaching out to contact your Outreach Coordinator.

]]>http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/dia-de-los-muertos-south-bronx/feed/0PepsiCo Gives Back!http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/pepsico-gives-back/
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/pepsico-gives-back/#respondFri, 04 Nov 2016 20:36:02 +0000http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/?p=38376On Wednesday, October 19th, volunteers from PepsiCo joined Partnerships for Parks in an It's My Park project at De Witt Clinton Park for their annual Pepsi Gives Back Week. De Witt Clinton Park has a passionate community presence, hard-working Parks Staff, and thanks to volunteer groups such as PepsiCo, receives the help vital to keeping it a vibrant part of the community....

]]>On Wednesday, October 19th, volunteers from PepsiCo joined Partnerships for Parks in an It’s My Park project at De Witt Clinton Park for their annual two week Pepsi Gives Back campaign. De Witt Clinton Park has a passionate community presence, hard-working Parks Staff, and thanks to volunteer groups such as PepsiCo, receives the help vital to keeping it a vibrant part of the community.

The PepsiCo volunteers’ t-shirts read “PepsiCo Gives Back” which turned out to be a very true statement. The volunteers were up to the challenge and reached all their goals. Working tirelessly from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in unseasonably hot weather, the volunteers painted fencing, removed cobblestones, and mulched tree beds within the park. Not only did they accomplish their tasks, but they did so with great enthusiasm.

The park itself is a beloved part of the community. There are ball fields where local student athletes come to practice and play softball, baseball, and soccer, as well as basketball courts and a playground. Several of the gardens are even cared for by dedicated, long-term stewards from the neighboring community. Also, the NYC Parks is currently conducting an array of capital projects within the park. By volunteering at De Witt Clinton Park, the PepsiCo employees not only made the space beautiful but also became a part of this community of caring individuals.

De Witt Clinton park’s long history within the community is a prime example of the work Partnerships for Parks aims to achieve. Corporate volunteers are essential for assisting with a large piece of this work: to maintain the parks as thriving community centers and green spaces. Not only do they donate their time, but they also donate the tools needed to maintain the parks after their work is done. In this way, PepsiCo and other volunteer groups ensure their service work goes above and beyond their one day of service.

Thank you to PepsiCo for supporting New York City’s green spaces and the community that cares for them through Partnerships for Parks.

]]>http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/pepsico-gives-back/feed/0INTERN REFLECTION: SHOSHANA LEVYhttp://www.cityparksfoundation.org/intern-reflection-shoshana-levy/
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/intern-reflection-shoshana-levy/#respondWed, 19 Oct 2016 18:49:45 +0000http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/?p=38121After hearing my friend gush about her summer internship with City Parks Foundation, the people she met, the places she traveled, and of course, the artists she saw, I eagerly anticipated what my summer would be like as a Marketing and Communications Intern. I looked forward to working shows, discovering new artists, and meeting my new coworkers....

]]>After hearing my friend gush about her summer internship with City Parks Foundation, the people she met, the places she traveled, and of course, the artists she saw, I eagerly anticipated what my summer would be like as a Marketing and Communications Intern. I looked forward to working shows, discovering new artists, and meeting my new coworkers. It didn’t take me long to realize that CPF would give me so much more than a few new songs to add to my Spotify queue.

I was thrown into the mix as soon as I arrived. I attended regular staff meetings and an intern lecture series, where I heard from professionals in all departments and at all levels of both CPF and the Parks Department. I learned about programming and production processes, the distinctions between each aspect of the organization’s financial infrastructure, and initiatives that balance historical preservation and forward looking restoration and innovation. I learned about the intersection of government work and nonprofit work, and nuanced my understanding of working in the public sector. It was immediately clear to me that not only was the work I was doing was deeply rooted in and broadly affecting the community, but that I was going to have a real hand in the execution of CPF’s mission.

It was quite impactful to see CPF’s meticulously curated, neighborhood specific approach to community building. This was most transient in the outer-borough festival. Beginning in Brooklyn and making its way through The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and finally Manhattan, I was struck by the way in which the team makes a deliberate effort to cater the festival to the community’s population, often times sourcing performers from the neighborhoods themselves. The effects this effort has on the local communities was incredible to see. Whether it was at Public Enemy in Betsy Head, Fat Joe in Crotona, Johnny Rivera in St. Mary’s or Dianne Reeves in Queensbridge Park, it was really special to witness the local enthusiasm and the power of bringing a community together.

So while I definitely did learn about some cool new music and meet many incredible people along the way, the most significant part of my experience as a City Parks Foundation intern was the opportunity to be a part of an initiative that prioritizes the preservation of neighborhood character through community-specific programming. I am so fortunate to have worked with and learned from such an impactful organization this summer!

]]>http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/intern-reflection-shoshana-levy/feed/0INTERN REFLECTION: EVAN GORDONhttp://www.cityparksfoundation.org/intern-reflection-evan-gordon/
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/intern-reflection-evan-gordon/#respondWed, 12 Oct 2016 20:22:31 +0000http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/?p=37744My summer with City Parks Foundation was an incredible experience enriched with an unforgettable staff, insane performances, and endless learning! During my internship I met dozens of CPF employees both in the office and onsite. It was unbelievable to discover the passion and excitement they all felt for this organization’s mission and the performing arts. Their kindness and enthusiasm made working feel a little less like work....

]]>My summer with City Parks Foundation was an incredible experience enriched with an unforgettable staff, insane performances, and endless learning! During my internship I met dozens of CPF employees both in the office and onsite. It was unbelievable to discover the passion and excitement they all felt for this organization’s mission and the performing arts. Their kindness and enthusiasm made working feel a little less like work.

When I began working SummerStage shows I felt very official. I was given a staff pass, handed out press passes, answered questions from audience members, and got to go backstage! Working these in all five boroughs was definitely my favorite part of the internship. One of the best memories was seeing Public Enemy at Betsy Head Park. I will never forget standing in the pit taking pictures when suddenly an energetic Flavor Flav popped up above me with his signature clock necklace dangling from the stage. Every single person from the huge crowd behind me was completely zoned into the music and ecstatic to be there. There was really nothing like being at a SummerStage concert. There was never a dull moment and you were always guaranteed a great time!

Some of the heartwarming perks of the job were sitting at the marketing tent and hearing comments like, “What, this is a free show!?!” or “Thank you so much for bringing this to us!” It was inspiring to see the enormous impact CPF has on the NYC communities.

Overall working with CPF was a wonderful educational experience. In the office I was constantly working on projects and various tasks that challenged me and exercised my skills. Onsite I interacted with diverse crowds, managed social media channels, and practiced problem solving, plus traveling to shows definitely taught me how to navigate through NYC. My time spent with City Parks Foundation is a time I will treasure for many years to come and I can’t wait for #SummerStage17!

]]>http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/intern-reflection-evan-gordon/feed/0INTERN REFLECTION: AUDREY CHISHOLMhttp://www.cityparksfoundation.org/intern-reflection-audrey-chisholm/
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/intern-reflection-audrey-chisholm/#respondTue, 04 Oct 2016 19:38:33 +0000http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/?p=37116When I sat down to write a blog post about Red Hook, the neighborhood that would host the first of SummerStage’s citywide performances, I began to realize how unique my summer internship was going to be. The week of programming in Red Hook was really exciting, and it offered an impressive range that would appeal to a diversity of the residents. A few days before the Red Hook shows kicked off, another intern and I got to leave the office early and hand out flyers....

]]>When I sat down to write a blog post about Red Hook, the neighborhood that would host the first of SummerStage’s citywide performances, I began to realize how unique my summer internship was going to be. The week of programming in Red Hook was really exciting, and it offered an impressive range that would appeal to a diversity of the residents. A few days before the Red Hook shows kicked off, another intern and I got to leave the office early and hand out flyers. “Free concerts in Brooklyn!” was an enticing offer for many passersby, and I felt encouraged by how quickly we depleted the huge stack of flyers. Some people stopped to ask for more information, and I began to perfect my SummerStage pitch. By the time shows started in The Bronx, I was a pro.

This was definitely one of the more rewarding elements of the internship. It was so great to get to a new venue on a Tuesday (typically when we started park runs) and be able to tell excited residents that we would bring an entire week of concerts to their local park. I loved seeing parents bring the whole family out to a movie screening or spoken word performance with picnic supplies and fold-out chairs ready to go.

At a movie screening on a Monday night in Bed-Stuy, a DJ played a set for the crowd before the sunset when the screening would begin. People of all ages were dancing together and singing along. I was taking pictures on the CPF camera that day, and the dance moves of one younger boy caught my eye. He noticed me taking pictures and immediately asked to see them. He liked what he saw and decided to put on a special performance. He asked me to film him doing a rap, in which he revealed himself to be a very ambitious seven-year- old. He asked to use the camera and take pictures of me, and I ended up spending most of my time switching off with him. We had a great time, and I won’t be surprised when he shows up as a SummerStage performer down the line.

]]>http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/intern-reflection-audrey-chisholm/feed/0Capacity Fund Grantees Get Ready For Fallhttp://www.cityparksfoundation.org/capacity-fund-grantees-get-ready-for-fall/
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/capacity-fund-grantees-get-ready-for-fall/#respondWed, 14 Sep 2016 18:23:08 +0000http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/?p=36995After a hot and busy summer in the city’s public spaces, community groups are already gearing up to care for their beloved parks by scheduling It’s My Park projects and finding new ways to engage volunteers....

]]>After a hot and busy summer in the city’s public spaces, community groups are already gearing up to care for their beloved parks by scheduling It’s My Parkprojects and finding new ways to engage volunteers. Groups have scoured the city for free resources, workshops, and funding opportunities hoping to help grow their groups. August concluded yet another round of Capacity Fund Grants geared toward helping park and community gardens.

Recent grantee The Under Dogs of Barks for Parks held a volunteer event to clean-up and improve the Underbridge Dog Run in Queens. The group received a grant to continue to grow their volunteer base and hold more improvement projects.

Thanks to the support of TD Bank, Partnerships for Parks awarded $49,350 to 36 community groups and organizations for the June 2016 Capacity Fund Grant round. The grantees span24 city council districts across the city and over 50% of the recipients were first-time grantees. In addition, 4 groups are in Catalyst sites and 23 groups are located in Community Park Initiative zones – a mayoral initiative to re-invest money in under-resourced parks.

Find out where this money went for this round:

Bronx – Friends of Walton Park received $2000 for supplies to engage the local school children in a fall and spring project to care for street trees and build tree guards. These trees surround the park will act as a way for the community to stay involved in greening efforts.

Brooklyn – To promote and improve physical fitness and mental health, We Run Brownsville received $1200 for equipment and materials to create a community-based fitness program at Betsy Head Park that combines running, walking and aerobic activities.

Manhattan – After holding two annual volunteer projects in northern Manhattan for over 20 years, the Friends of J. Hood Wright Park received $1700 for gardening equipment and outreach materials – including banners and t-shirts – to help establish a monthly volunteer program.

Queens – The Under Dogs of Barks for Parks has started taking care of Underbridge Dog Run in Queens by holding several clean-up projects. The group received $1500 for a tool shed, tools, and outreach materials to spread the word about their growing work.

Staten Island – There has been considerable community engagement at Faber Park and Pool over the last couple years thanks to a host of groups and organizations. Deep Tanks Studio received $1400 to host a fall festival and cover sound equipment rentals, a DJ, and outreach materials.

The Partnerships for Parks Capacity Fund Grant, presented by TD Bank, awards small grants of up to $5,000, three times each year, to support community park stewardship. This initiative is made possible thanks to the Parks Equity Initiative of the New York City Council under the leadership of Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. Funds are prioritized to volunteer-run groups that support neighborhood parks in historically under-resourced areas. The next submission deadline is October 1, 2016. You can schedule an individual consultation to discuss your project proposals.

For more information, email Grants@cityparksfoundation.org or call 212-602-5349.

]]>http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/capacity-fund-grantees-get-ready-for-fall/feed/0Meet Our New Outreach Coordinatorshttp://www.cityparksfoundation.org/meet-new-outreach-coordinators/
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/meet-new-outreach-coordinators/#respondTue, 06 Sep 2016 19:07:19 +0000http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/?p=36886Partnerships for Parks (PfP) just got some new faces to the program. As of September 6th, PfP hired four new Outreach Coordinators to help connect New Yorkers to their local parks. Read below to learn about their personal stories. ...

]]>Partnerships for Parks (PfP) just got some new faces to the program. As of September 6th, PfP hired four new Outreach Coordinators to help connect New Yorkers to their local parks. Read below to learn about their personal stories.

Bria Mathis, Manhattan

In her last position at the Food Bank for New York City, Bria spearheaded the development of volunteer projects, recruited 1000+ volunteers, and established relationships with key partners in an effort to increase community engagement. Bria also pioneered the recruitment of a Volunteer Leadership Team for the annual New York Wine & Food Festival. Bria received her Bachelor’s in Health Science and Sociology from Stony Book University.

Bria likes fitness activities, traveling, and trying new foods. Bria resides in Queens and her home park is Roy Wilkins.

Ismael Guzman Moran, Bronx

Ismael served with the NYC Service AmeriCorps this past year on the Community Parks Team (CPT) at Partnerships for Parks. He worked closely with the PfP Outreach Program in the Bronx to increase community engagement. Ismael holds a BS in Environmental Science from Lehman College.

In his personal time, Ismael’s enjoys the outdoors, animals, and soccer. He lives in the Bronx with his family and his home park is Harris Fields.

Carmine T. Raimondi, Staten Island

For the past year, Carmine worked in park’s Capital Projects Division as a Grants Manager. He worked with the Capital’s Project’s budget and accounting units to rectify outstanding funding variances. Prior to parks, Carmine assisted with a number of political campaigns where he was responsible for community outreach. He has also worked as a Director of Constituent and Support Services for NYS Assembly.

Carmine enjoys discovering new park spaces across the city and reading about local park history, infrastructure & designs. He also likes politics and enjoys taking pictures. Carmine resides in Staten Island and he is in close proximity to Old Town and Naples Playgrounds.

Gretha Suarez, Queens

Gretha comes to us from the U.S. Department of State where she was a Fulbright Research Fellow in Mumbai, India. During her time there, she conducted independent research on public transit infrastructure and access. Gretha has also worked for the City of Rochester’s Planning and Zoning Department where she assisted with their Waterfront Revitalization Program. Gretha also helped coordinated the 20th Katoomba International Conference on water sustainability in Lima, Peru. Gretha has a BA in World Politics with a concentration in Environmental Studies from Hamilton College.

In her personal time, Gretha’s enjoys exploring different cultures and trying new food recipes. She resides in Brooklyn and will soon be visiting Bushwick Inlet Park.

]]>http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/due-to-travel-issues-tonights-summerstage-show-with-alpha-blondy-in-marcus-garvey-park-is-cancelled/feed/0Due to the excessive heat index this weekend, the Family Adventure Race at Conference House Park has been cancelled.http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/due-excessive-heat-index-weekend-family-adventure-race-conference-house-park-cancelled/
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/due-excessive-heat-index-weekend-family-adventure-race-conference-house-park-cancelled/#respondSat, 13 Aug 2016 11:14:08 +0000http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/?p=36769Due to the excessive heat index this weekend, the Family Adventure Race has been cancelled....